Texas woman sues cops over burst Bulgarian airbag

A surgically enhanced Texan is suing police over a burst Bulgarian airbag she claims went pop as she was arrested over an unpaid speeding ticket.

Rebecca Van Hooser, of Arlington, was pulled over on 28 October in neighbouring Pantego for a "headlight violation". The traffic cop acted on a warrant for the unpaid ticket by whipping out his cuffs, although Hooser's attorney claims he acted with jub-busting force.

Susan Hutchison said: "She gets out of the car, [the officer] grabs her, throws her against the car, spreads her legs ... and grabs her arms and forcefully pulls them out and yanks them very hard behind her back."

The perp's screams of pain as her implant exploded fell on deaf ears, according to Hutchinson, who claims the officer said: "This isn't supposed to be comfortable."

Hooser and her attorney haven't yet specified how much cash they're seeking for the medical complications resulting from the alleged incident. Hutchison said of her client's suffering: "She's had a number of surgeries. She had two hematomas as a result, and she's going to have to have a partial mastectomy, tissue transplant and a new implant."

Hutchison concluded that the lawsuit was also intended to emphasise that "when you arm someone with a gun and a badge ... you've got to train them appropriately, and they have got to be able to react reasonably and responsibly".

The Pantego powers that be expressed "complete faith" in their officers, and insisted they always behave in "the most professional manner". ®